Mercerized elastic yarn and method of forming the same



J- M. NEEL Aug. 8, 1967 MERCERIZED ELASTIC YARN AND METHOD OF FORMINGTHE SAME Filed April 9, 1965 ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofilice3,334,482 Patented Aug. 8, 1967 3,334,482 MERCERIZED ELASTIC YARN ANDMETHOD OF FORMING THE SAME Joseph M. Neel, Burlington, N.C., assignor toSellers Manufacturing Company, Inc., Saxapahaw, N.C., a corporation ofNorth Carolina Filed Apr. 9, 1965, Ser. No. 447,011 14 Claims. (Cl.57-152) This application is a continuation-in-part of my copendingapplication Ser. No. 393,592, filed Sept. 1, 1964, and this inventionrelates to composite elastic yarns, and more particularly to elasticyarns having the general appearance of conventional inelastic, two plymercerized (Durene-type) yarns particularly suitable for generalknitting purposes.

Elastic yarns having the general appearance of inelastic yarns aregenerally known in the art and have become increasingly popular with theadvent of spandex yarns. For example, as I have pointed out in my saidco-pending application, such yarns can 'be produced by core spinning,where one or more rovings of textile are fed through the drafting zoneof a spinning frame and spun around an end of continuous filamentelastic material, such as spandex; or by covering an end of continuousfilament elastic material with closely-spaced helical windings of one ormore ends of spun yarn; or by plying an end of spandex with two ends ofspun yarn as disclosed in my said copending application.

In addition to the general deficiencies of these prior methods aspointed out in my said co-pending application, such prior methods (aswell as the method disclosed in my said co-pending application) do notlend themselves to the formation of a composite elastic knitting yarnhaving the appearance of and employing mercerized cotton. The reason forthis stems from two factorsfirst, spandex fiber is subject to severedegradation by the caustic treatment necessary for mercerization, andsecond, the yarn tensions used in the mercerizing process manifestlyexclude the finer counts cotton yarns. Thus, all of the composite yarnsof the prior art (and those of my said copending application) would bedestroyed by being subjected to a mercerizing treatment. Similarly, noneof such composite yarns suitable for knitting purposes could be formedby mercerizing the cotton prior to combining it with the spandextherovings used in core spinning could not be. mercerized because thetension necessary in the mercerizing process would destroy the fragileroving; nor,

could the fine counts, fragile yarns suitable for covering (or plying inaccordance with my said co-pending application) be mercerized for thesame reason. The use of heavier count cotton yarns to avoid the latterdifliculty is not the solution, since the resulting composite yarn wouldthen be too coarse for general knitting purposes.

Durene is a registered trademark of the Durene Association of Americaand two-ply mercerized cotton yarns bearing this trademark are widelysold to the knitting industry, particularly for use in half-hose. Asused herein, Durene-type yarn refers to a two-ply, mercerized, combedpeeler cotton yarn of a size within the range of about 20/2 to 60/ 2cotton counts (840 yards per pound) which is the suitable range forhalf-hose knitting yarns. In producing such yarns, two individual endsof the cotton yarn each of a size within the range of about 20/1 to 60/1cotton counts and having been spun in the same direction utilizing atwist multiplier within the range of about 3.20 to 3.50 are pliedtogether in the opposite direction utilizing a ply twist multiplierwithin the range of about 3.00 to 3.25 to form a two-ply yarn. Suchtwoply yarn is then mercerized under tension in about a 28% causticsolution at room temperature with the result that the tensile strengthand sheen of the increased.

In accordance with the instant invention, I have found that a compositeelastic yarn having the appearance of a conventional inelasticmercerized, two-ply cotton yarn can be produced by plying with aDurene-type cotton yarn an end of elongated, continuous filament spandexof a comparatively much smaller size in a direction opposite thedirection of ply twist in such cotton yarn. The resulting composite yarnwhen in relaxed condition is characterized by the formation of randomloops of cotton and spandex yarn. On the other hand, however, when theyarn is stretched to substantially its elastic limit, the yarn assumesthe appearance of the two-ply cotton yarn. Moreover, although it wouldbe logically expected that such composite yarn would have less tensilestrength than the original two-ply cotton yarn (due to the fact that thefinal plying steps must necessarily remove some of the ply twistpreviously existing in the two-ply cotton yarn), such is not the case.Rather, I have found that the tensile strength of the composite yarn isnot significantly different from that of the original mercerized two-plycotton yarn.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide acomposite elastic yarn suitable for use in producing stretchable fabricsand garments, such as halfhose, and having the general appearance of aconventional, inelastic, mercerized two-ply cotton yarn when insubstantially fully stretched condition.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method of producing acomposite elastic yarn having the general appearance and strengthcharacteristics of a mercerized cotton yarn.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide a compositeelastic yarn having the general appearance of a mercerized two-plycotton yarn of a size within the range of about 20/2 to 60/2 cottoncounts when in sub stantially fully stretched condition and by theformation of random loops of yarn when in relaxed condition.

It is still another object of this invention to produce a compositeelastic yarn employing mercerized cotton and spandex.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objectswill appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which- FIGURE 1 is a somewhat schematicillustration of a yarn twisting apparatus showing the manner in whichthe present composite elastic yarn is formed;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the area generally withinthe dotted circle in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of a small segment of thecomposite elastic yarn of the invention in substantially fully stretchedcondition;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3, but illustrating the compositeyarn relaxed about 30% from its substantially fully stretched condition;and

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4, but illustrating the compositeyarn fully relaxed.

As previously stated, the present invention contemplates the use of aDurene-type yarn formed by plying together two individual ends of combedpeeler cotton yarn, each of a size within the range of about 20/1 to60/1 cotton counts and having been spun in a common direction utilizyarnis substantially ing a twist multiplier within the range of about 3.20to- 3.50. Such ends are plied in a direction opposite said beingcharacterized 3 increase the strength and luster of the yarn. The thusmercerized two-ply yarn is then washed, dried and wound onto packages inaccordance with well known conventional procedures.

In the figures, the numeral 10 is used to broadly designate such aDurene-type yarn with the letters C and C being used to designaterespectively the two single cotton yarn ends which make up theDurene-type yarn 10. For purposes of illustration, the two-ply yarn 10is shown with an S or right ply twist, and thus, the respective singlesends C and C are spun in the Z or left direction. Of course, therespective twist directions could be reversed, if desired.

As shown in FIGURE 1, which schematically illustrates a ring twister,the composite yarn of the present invention is formed by withdrawing theDurene-type yarn 10 from a supply bobbin 11 and merging such yarn withan end of spandex 12 at a guide 13. Such spandex 12 is contained on asupply bobbin 14 and is preferably of a size within the range of 40 to140 denier. From guide 13 the respective merged ends 10 and 12 arepassed into a feeding device broadly indicated at 15 and comprising afeed roll 16 cradled between parallel drive shafts 17 and 18. Since thecomposite yarn of this invention contains an inelastic component (theDurene-type yarn), it is necessary for the spandex 12 to be elongated orstretched prior to ply twisting. To this end, the spandex supply package14 is supported on driven parallel feed shafts 20 and 21 much in thesame way that the feed roll 16 is supported in the cradle formed by thedriven parallel shafts 17 and 18. Thus, to stretch the spandex, theshafts 17, 18 are driven at a greater speed than the shafts 20, 21. Theamount of stretch or elongation placed upon the spandex end 12 by thisdifferential in shaft speeds will vary with the type of spandexemployed, its denier and the amount of stretch desired in the finalcomposite elastic yarn. Thus, in view of these variables, I prefer todetermine the desired amount of stretch in terms of the inherent stretchcapacity of the particular spandex being used and preferably stretch thespandex to about 80% to 85% of such capacity. Thus, for example, if aparticular spandex end possessed an inherent stretch capacity of 400%, Iwould preferably set up the speed differential between driven rolls 17,18 and 20, 21 so that the spandex end would be stretched about 320% to330% of its relaxed length.

From the feeding device 15, the merged stretched spandex end 12 andDurene-type yarn end 10 pass downwardly and through a ring traveler 22and onto a rotating take-up bobbin or package 23 so that ply twist isapplied to the merged yarns between the take-up package 23 and the nipformed by the engagement of feed roll 15 and shaft 17 to thus form thecomposite elastic yarn of the invention.

The rotational speed of the take-up bobbin 23 can be varied, relative tothe rate of feed of the feed roll 16 so that the desired amount of plytwist may be applied to the composite yarn. Preferably, the number ofturns per unit length of ply twist should be about 40% of the number ofturns per unit length of ply twist originally placed in the Durene-typeyarn 10. Thus, for example, if 13 turns per inch ply twist are used informing the Dunnetype yarn 10, then about turns per inch of ply twistshould be used in this final ply twisting operation.

The direction of rotation of the take-up bobbin 23 determines thedirection of such ply twist and such ply twist direction should beopposite from the direction of ply twist contained in the Durene-typeyarn 10. Thus, when the ply twist in the yarn is in the S direction (asshown in the drawings), the rotation of the take-up bobbin 23 should besuch as to impart a ply twist in the Z direction to the composite yarn,and vice versa.

The composite elastic yarn thus formed in accordance with the foregoingis shown in various stages of elongation in FIGURES 3-5. FIGURE 3illustrates such yarn in substantially fully stretched condition withthe stretch of the spandex component 12 being limited from furtherstretching by the inelastic cotton yarn component 10. In this form thespandex is stretched to substantially the same degree as it was duringthe plying operationi.e., to about to of its inherent stretch capacity.As shown, the respective component yarns 10 and 12 are nested closetogether, and due to the relatively much greater size of the Durene-typeyarn component 10, the composite yarn assumes the general appearance ofa conventional Durene-type yarn. This phenomenon becomes more apparentwith the following illustration: assume the spandex end 12 is 40 denierand the Durenetype yarn end is 20/2. Assume further that the particularspandex end has an inherent stretch capacity of 400%. Then, under theforegoing circumstances, when the composite elastic yarn formed of thesecomponents is substantially fully stretched, the spandex end is draftedabout 320% (80%of its inherent stretch capacity) with its size beingproportionally reduced to less than 13 denier. In comparison to thissize of 13 denier, the 20/2 cotton yarn 10 is equivalent to about 532denier, or over 40 times as large.

FIGURE 4 illustrates the composite elastic yarn of the invention relaxedabout 30% from its fully stretched condition. Here, it can be seen thatthe spandex component 12 remains straight as it increases in size about30% from its fully drafted state shown in FIGURE 3. The Durene-type yarncomponent 10, however, being non-stretchable, begins to move outwardlyfrom the spandex component 12 and form itself into randomly dispersedloops.

FIGURE 5 illustrates the composite elastic yarn of the invention infully relaxed condition. Here, such full relaxation now causes thespandex component to lose its straight line configuration and assume arandom loop configuration while also causing the Durene-type yarncomponent 10 to assume a further pronounced random loop configurationfrom that shown in FIGURE 4.

With regard to the strength properties of the composite elastic yarns ofthe invention, it is to be noted that the final ply twisting step of theDurene-type yarn component 10 with the spandex component 12 is performedin a direction opposite the direction of ply twist previously placed inthe Durene-type yarn component 10. Necessarily, therefore, some of thisoriginal ply twist of this component is going to be removed in the finalply twisting operation of the composite yarn. This reduction in plytwist in the Durene-type component 10 is illustrated schematically inFIGURE 2 wherein the amount of twist in the Durene-type component 10 isgreater before entering the feeding device 15 than it is after leavingthe same.

Under the foregoing circumstances, it would normally be expected thatthis reduction in twist of the Durenetype component 10 would bereflected in a reduction in strength of the composite elastic yarn. Suchis not the case, however. Instead, it has been found that such compositeyarn possesses substantially the same strength characteristics as thoseof the Durene-type yarn 10 prior to combining it with the spandex.

The composite elastic yarns of this invention have varied applicationsand possess, among others, the same general advantages of the yarns ofmy said co-pending application. For example, in higher modulus ranges,they have proved excellent in forming mens support socks which have thegeneral appearance and counter appeal of conventional socks made fromDurene-type yarns, but which have support characteristics of muchheavier rubber containing support socks. Additionally, such highermodulus composite yarns can be incorporated in spaced courses of a sockto produce a so-called stretch sock adapted to fit a wide range of footsizes. Similarly, such yarns with lower moduli can be used entirely toform such stretch socks.

It is thus seen that I have provided a unique composite elastic yarn andmethod of forming the same, which method overcomes the hurdles presentin the prior art in forming satisfactory spandex-mercerized cottonelastic yarns and which yarn product possesses many desirablecharacteristics in an elastic yarn which were heretofore unobtainable.

In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferredembodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in theclaims.

I claim:

1. A composite yarn characterized by being elastic and having randomlyextending loops when in relaxed condition and having the appearance of aconventional inelastic mercerized two-ply cotton yarn when insubstantially fully stretched condition, and, when stretched to itselastic limit, having substantially the same strength characteristics asthose of a comparably sized conventional mercerized two-ply cotton yarn,said composite yarn comprising:

(a) a mercerized two-ply cotton yarn formed from two single yarn endsindividually twisted in a common first direction and plied in a seconddirection opposite said first direction, and

(b) one end of continuous filament spandex plied with said two-ply yarnin said first direction and imparting elasticity to the composite yarn,said spandex end being substantially hidden by said two-ply mercerizedcotton yarn when the composite yarn is stretched substantially to itselastic limit so that the composite yarn has the appearance andpredominate characteristics of said mercerized two-ply cotton yarn, andcontraction of said spandex end causing the formation of said randomloops in said mercerized twoply cotton yarn when the composite yarn isrelaxed.

2. A composite yarn according to claim 1 wherein said mercerized two-plycotton yarn limits the stretchability of said spandex end to a maximumof about 80% to 85% of its inherent stretch capacity.

3. A composite yarn according to claim 1 wherein said spandex end isplied with said mercerized two-ply cotton yarn with a number of turnsper unit length equal to about 40% of the number of turns per unitlength used in plying together said two single yarn ends.

4. A composite yarn according to claim 1 wherein said single yarn endsare of a size within the range of about 20/ 1 to 60/1 cotton counts.

5. A composite yarn characterized by being elastic and having randomlyextending loops when in relaxed condition and having the appearance of aconventional inelastic mercerized two-ply cotton yarn when insubstantially fully stretched condition, and, when stretched to itselastic limit, having substantially the same strength characteristics asthose of a comparably sized conventional mercerized two-ply cotton yarn,said composite yarn comprising:

(a) a mercerized two-ply cotton yarn formed from ,tWO single yarn endsindividually twisted in a common first direction with a twist multiplierin the range of about 3.20 to 3.50 and plied in a second directionopposite said first direction with a twist multiplier in the range ofabout 3.00 to 3.25, and

(b) one end of continuous filament spandex plied with said two-ply yarnin said first direction with a number of turns per unit length equal toabout 40% of the number of turns per unit length used in plying togethersaid two single yarn ends, said spandex end imparting elasticity to thecomposite yarn and being substantially hidden by said mercerized two-plycotton yarn when the composite yarn is stretched substantially to itselastic limit so that the composite yarn has the appearance andpredominate characteristics of said mercerized two-ply cotton yarn, andcontraction of said spandex end causing the formation of said randomloops in said mercerized two-ply cotton yarn when the composite yarn isrelaxed.

6. A composite yarn according to claim 5 wherein said single yarn endsare of a size within the range of about 20/1 to 60/1 cotton counts andsaid spandex end is of a size within the range of about 40 to 140denier.

7. A composite yarn characterized by being elastic and having randomlyextending loops when in relaxed condition and having the appearance of aconventional inelastic mercerized two-ply cotton yarn when insubstantially fully stretched condition, and, when stretched to itselastic limit, having substantially the same strength characteristics asthose of a comparably sized conventional mercerized two-ply cotton yarn,said composite yarn comprising:

(a) a mercerized two-ply cotton yarn formed from two single yarn endsindividually twisted in a common first direction with a twist multiplierin the range of about 3.20 to 3.50 and plied in a second directionopposite said first direction with a twist multiplier in the range ofabout 3.00 to 3.25,. said single yarn ends being of a size within therange of about 20/1 to 60/1 cotton count, and

(b) one end of continuous filament spandex piled with said two-ply yarnin said first direction with a number of turns per unit length equal toabout 40% of the number of turns per unit length used in plying togethersaid two single yarn ends, said spandex being of a size within the rangeof about 40 to 140 denier and imparting elasticity to the compositeyarn, said mercerized two-ply cotton yarn limiting the stretchability ofsaid end of spandex to a maximum of about '80 to 85% of its inherentstretch capacity, said spandex end being substantially hidden by saidmercerized two-ply cotton yarn when the composite yarn is stretchedsubstantially to its elastic limit so that the composite yarn hastheappearance and predominate characteristics of said mercerized twoplycotton yarn, and contraction of said spandex end causing the formationof said random loops in said mercerized two-ply cotton yarn when thecomposite yarn is relaxed.

8. A method of forming a composite elastic yarn characterized by havingrandomly extending; loops when in relaxed condition and having theappearance of a conventional, inelastic, mercerized two-ply cotton yarnwhen in substantially fully stretched condition, and, when stretched toits elastic limit, having substantially the same strengthcharacteristics as those of a comparably sized, conventional, mercerizedtwoply cotton yarn, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) spinning singles cottong yarn with a twist in a first direction,

(b) plying together two ends of the singles cotton yarn in a seconddirection opposite said first direction to form a two-ply cotton yarn,

(c) mercerizin-g under tension the two-ply cotton yarn to increase itssheen and strength, and thereafter (d) plying with the mercerizedtwo-ply cotton yarn in said first direction an end of elongated,continuous filament spandex to form the composite elastic yarn.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the spandex is elongated toabout to of its inherent stretch capacity during plying with themercerized two-ply cotton yarn.

10. A method according to claim 8 wherein the spandex is plied with saidmercerized two-ply cotton yarn using a number of turns per unit lengthequal to about 40% of the number of turns per unit length used in plyingtogether the two ends of the singles cotton yarn.

11. A method of forming a composite elastic yarn characterized by havingrandomly extending loops when in relaxed condition and having theappearance of a conventional, inelastic, mercerized two-ply cotton yarnwhen in substantially fully stretched condition, and, when stretched toits elastic limit, having substantially the same strengthcharacteristics as those of a comparably sized,

' conventional, mercerized two-ply cotton yarn, said method comprisingthe steps of:

(a) spinning singles cotton yarn with twist in a first direction and asize within the range of about 20/1 to 60/1 cotton counts,

(b) plying together two ends of the singles cotton yarn in a seconddirection opposite said first direction to form a two-ply cotton yarn,

(c) mercerizing under tension the two-ply cotton yarn to increase itssheen and strength, and thereafter (d) plying with the mercerizedtwo-ply cotton yarn in said first direction an end of continuousfilament spandex while elongating the spandex to about 80 to 85% of itsinherent stretch capacity to form the composite elastic yarn, the numberof turns per unit length utilized in plying the mercerized two-plycotton yarn with the spandex being equal to about 40% of the number ofturns per unit length used in plying together the two ends of singlescotton yarn.

12. A method of forming a composite elastic yarn characterized by havingrandomly extending loops when in relaxed condition and having theappearance of a conventional, inelastic, mercerized two-ply cotton yarnwhen in substantially fully stretched condition, and, when stretched toits elastic limit, having substantially the same strengthcharacteristics as those of a comparably sized, conventional, mercerizedtwo-ply cotton yarn, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) spinning singles cotton yarn with a twist in a first direction usinga twist multiplier in the range of about 3.20 to 3.50, said singles yarnhaving a size within the range of about 20/1 to 60/1 cotton counts,

(b) plying together two ends of the singles cotton yarn in a seconddirection opposite said first direction using a twist multiplier in therange of about 3.00 to 3.25 to form a two-ply cotton yarn,

(c) mercerizing under tension the two-ply cotton yarn to increase itssheen and strength, and thereafter ((1) plying with the mercerizedtwo-ply cotton yarn in said first direction an end of elongated,continuous filament spandex to form the composite elastic yarn.

13. A method according to claim 10 wherein the spandex is plied withsaid mercerized two-ply cotton yarn using a number of turns per unitlength equal to about 40% of the number of turns per unit length used inplying together the two ends of the singles cotton yarn.

14. A method of forming a composite elastic yarn characterized by havingrandomly extending loops when in relaxed condition and having theappearance of a conventional, inelastic, mercerized two-ply cotton yarnwhen in substantially fully stretched condition, and, when stretched toits elastic limit, having substantially the same strengthcharacteristics as those of a comparably sized, conventional, mercerizedtwo-ply cotton yarn, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) spinning singles cotton yarn with a twist in a first direction usinga twist multiplier in the range of about 3.20 to 3.50, said singles yarnhaving a size within the range of about 20/1 to 1 cotton counts,

(b) plying together two ends of the singles cotton yarn in a seconddirection opposite said first direction using a twist multiplier in therange of about 3.00 to 3.25 to form a two-ply cotton yarn,

(c) mercerizing under tension the two-ply cotton yarn to increase itssheen and strength, and thereafter (d) plying with the mercerizedtwo-ply cotton yarn in said first direction an end of continuousfilament spandex while elongating the spandex to about to of itsinherent stretch capacity to form the composite elastic yarn, the numberof turns per unit length utilized in plying the mercerized two-plycotton yarn with the spandex being equal to about 40% of the number ofturns per unit length used in plying together the two ends of singlescotton y-arn.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,076,273 4/1937 Harris 57-1522,263,614 11/1941 Cote 5716=3 3,009,311 11/1961 Wang 57152 3,038,2956/1962 Humphreys 57152 3,234,724 2/1966 Storti 57152 FRANK J. COHEN,Primary Examiner.

J. PETRAKES, Assistant Examiner.

1. A COMPOSITE YARN CHARACTERIZED BY BEING ELASTIC AND HAVING RANDOMLYEXTENDING LOOPS WHEN IN RELAXED CONDITION AND HAVING THE APPEARANCE OF ACONVENTIONAL INELASTIC MERCERIZED TWO-PLY COTTON YARN WHEN INSUBSTANTIALLY FULLY STRETCHED CONDITION, AND, WHEN STRETCHED TO ITSELASTIC LIMIT, HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME STRENGTH CHARACTERISTICS ASTHOSE OF A COMPARABLY SIZED CONVENTIONAL MERCERIZED TWO-PLY COTTON YARN,SAID COMPOSITE YARN COMPRISING: (A) A MERCERIZED TWO-PLY COTTON YARNFORMED FROM TWO SINGLE YARN ENDS INDIVIDUALLY TWISTED IN A COMMON FIRSTDIRECTION AND PLIED IN A SECOND DIRECTION OPPOSITE SAID FIRST DIRECTION,AND (B) ONE END OF CONTINUOUS FILAMENT SPANDEX PLIED WITH SAID TWO-PLYYARN IN SAID FIRST DIRECTION AND IMPARTING ELASTICITY TO THE COMPOSITEYARN, SAID SPANDEX END BEING SUBSTANTIALLY HIDDEN BY SAID TWO-PLYMERCERIZED COTTON YARN WHEN THE COMPOSITE YARN IS STRETCHEDSUBSTANTIALLY TO ITS ELASTIC LIMIT SO THAT THE COMPOSITE YARN HAS THEAPPEARANCE AND PREDOMINATE CHARACTERISTICS OF SAID MERCERIZED TWO-PLYCOTTON YARN, AND CONTRACTION OF SAID SPANDEX END CAUSING THE FORMATIONOF SAID RANDOM LOOPS IN SAID MERCERIZED TWOPLY COTTON YARN WHEN THECOMPOSITE YARN IS RELAXED.
 8. A METHOD OF FORMING A COMPOSITE ELASTICYARN CHARACTERIZED BY HAVING RANDOMLY EXTENDING LOOPS WHEN IN RELAXEDCONDITION AND HAVING THE APPERANCE OF A CONVENTIONAL, INELASTIC,MERCERIZED TWO-PLY COTTON YARN WHEN IN SUBSTANTIALLY FULLY STRETCHEDCONDITION, AND, WHEN STRETCHED TO ITS ELASTIC LIMIT, HAVINGSUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME STRENGTH CHARACTERISTICS AS THOSE OF A COMPARABLYSIZED, CONVENTIONAL, MERCERIZED TWO-PLY COTTON YARN, SAID METHODCOMPRISING THE STEPS OF: (A) SPINNING SINGLES COTTON YARN WITH A TWISTIN A FIRST DIRECTION, (B) PLYING TOGETHER TWO ENDS OF THE SINGLES COTTONYARN IN A SECOND DIRECTION OPPOSITE SAID FIRST DIRECTION TO FORM ATWO-PLY COTTON YARN, (C) MERCERIZING UNDER TENSION THE TWO-PLY COTTONYARN TO INCREASE ITS SHEEN AND STRENGTH, AND THEREAFTER (D) PLYING WITHTHE MERCERIZED TWO-PLY COTTON YARN IN SAID FIRST DIRECTION AN END OFELONGATED, CONTINUOUS FILAMENT SPANDEX TO FORM THE COMPOSITE ELASTICYARN.